DARIOUSH DISTINCTION
The Crown Jewel of the Darioush estate, Darius II captures the diverse and exquisite beauty within each vintage. With an uncompromising commitment to crafting a wine with complexity, composure and refinement, Darius II is the hallmark of the Darioush style.
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Fortitude and resilience best describe the 2018 vintage of Darius II. Following the devastating 2017 wildfires, we decided to forgo bottling our estate’s crown jewel for the first time ever. Perhaps it is Mother Nature’s need for redemption that the 2018 growing season was idyllic, a textbook season, for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Abundant winter rains naturally invigorated the vines, and budbreak occurred during pristine spring weather, resulting in a generous and beautifully even crop from the start. Mild temperatures and a lack of climactic drama well into autumn enabled the slow, complete, and even maturities necessary to cultivate wines with great composure, grace, and complexity. With dozens of beautiful vineyard and barrel lots to choose from, the challenge was deciding which to exclude from the final blend. Ultimately, a small contribution of Sage Vineyard Cabernet Franc was selected to complement the gorgeous expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from our winery estate’s Apadana Block.
TASTING NOTES
Demonstrating extraordinary composure, energy, and depth, 2018 Darius II is teeming with dense, vibrant flavors of cassis, black fruits, minerals, and a savory sage
and wild thyme component. The captivating aromatics consist of crushed blueberries, bay leaf, medium-roast co ee, and candied violets. Expressive in its youth, with refined, succulent tannins, 2018 Darius II will undoubtedly reveal further detail and elegance for the patient collector over a decade or two.
THE LABEL ART
London-born John Henry Dearle rose to Chief Designer of the legendary firm, Morris & Co, under the tutelage of William Morris himself. Known as the father of progressive pattern in the Victorian era, Morris revived practices lost to the passage of time— emphasizing the use of quality raw materials and hand processing in
textiles. Observing the natural world first-hand and influenced by a study of ancient patterns of Persia, Dearle’s motifs convey strong symmetry with flourishes of color, aptly suited to the technique of weaving. His 1890s masterpiece, Apple, now resides in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
